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Purpose: Farmer producer organisations (FPOs) are considered as a strategy to improve the livelihoods of small farmers through economies of scale by providing collective strength to farmers for improved access to production technology, value-addition services, high-quality inputs and marketing services for improving their incomes. This study investigates the impact of FPO membership on organic farming household's income in Northeast India. Design/methodology/approach: This study uses field survey data collected from all four districts of Sikkim. Primary data were obtained from a survey of 560 organic farming households, 280 of which are FPO members and the rest 280 are non-members. Propensity score matching (PSM) is used to estimate the impact of FPO membership on net returns, return on investment (ROI) and profit margin. Findings: Results show that the FPO members had, on average, Rs. 7,254–8,133 higher annual net returns, 4.6–4.8% higher ROI and 8–8.4% higher profit margin than the non-members. The findings confirm that FPO membership has a positive and significant impact on net returns, return on investment and profit margin. Also, heterogeneity analysis indicates that FPO membership has larger positive impact on relatively bigger farmers and female-headed households. Research limitations/implications: As the study was based on a cross-sectional survey, the findings may be subjected to some limitations. Originality/value: This study is based on a novel data set, collected specifically to examine the economic impact of FPO membership on organic farming in India. Peer review: The peer review history for this article is available at: https://publons.com/publon/10.1108/IJSE-06-2023-0451 [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Intellectual Capital (IC) is a driving force behind the financial performance of non-financial firms. Investing in intellectual and physical capital allows companies to optimize their financial performance by maximizing resource utilization. This study aims to determine whether IC efficiency impacts the financial performance of listed Pakistani and Indian companies between 2010 and 2020. Return on Assets (ROA) and Return on Equity (ROE) are used to calculate financial performance, and IC is calculated using the modified Value-Added Intellectual Coefficient (MVAIC) model. Regression analysis is performed using the STATA software developed by the South Texas Art Therapy Association. Human Capital (HC), Structural Capital (SC), and Capital Employed (CE) have a significant impact on Pakistani and Indian firms' financial performance. Resource-based theory (RBT) supports these findings. The findings should provide management with a prompt to improve financial performance and emphasize the importance of IC. A rare study has addressed the impact of IC on firm financial performance using the MVAIC model, rather than the VAIC model, in Pakistan and India. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Human resource analytics (HRA), adopted by firms in India and across the globe, is forecasted to increase at a decent pace, as reported by various market research firms. However, few studies have explained that mixed benefits may be due to differences in company HR practices. This research paper studies HR adoption at the firm level in the Indian context. Data from 116 Indian BSE listed companies for the 2018-2019 period is investigated using propensity score matching (PSM) followed by linear regression analysis. The result reveals that HR analytics firms have a higher return on investment. Our findings will prove helpful to firms who wish to adopt HRA practices. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

As per the All India Survey on Higher Education 2019-20 there are 1043 universities 42342 colleges and 11779 standalone institutes in India. In spite of having quite a huge number of higher education institutes in India many of the educational institutes are finding it difficult to fill in their intake capacity. Hence it becomes very essential for the higher education institutes to identify the factors that influences the decision of the students in selection of higher education institutes. If the factors are identified and corrective steps are taken by the higher education institutes the gross enrolment ratio of each institute can be enhanced. This research paper makes an attempt to bridge the gap between the higher educational institutes and the expectations of the students. The study considered the opinions of 25 students studying in the Mumbai and Navi Mumbai region. The study concluded that the most important factors considered by the students while selecting a Higher Education Institution are curriculum, specialisation offered by the institute, and return on investment. Hence it becomes imperative for the educational institutes to concentrate on these factors to enhance their enrolment ratio. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This conceptual paper seeks to present the concept for the application of the principle of ‘Caveat Venditor’ or ‘Seller Beware’ in Higher Education and Healthcare sectors in India. Simply, this principle imposes a greater responsibility on the sellers themselves for the goods and services that they sell. This note presents the need for implementing the ‘Caveat Venditor’ principle to the two important service sectors in India, i.e., higher education and healthcare. In terms of cost, there has been a steady and steep rise in cost of both higher education and healthcare in India over the last decade. It is important to note that despite the steep rise in the cost of both higher education and healthcare, there has been no corresponding improvement in the quality of these services. While the ROI (Return on Investment) for students in India continues to be extremely low, quality of healthcare in India is still not up to the mark and lack of accountability from these service providers ensures that this trend continues. In view of the importance and spectacular growth potential of these two service sectors in India, coupled with the non-commensurate improvement in quality/outcomes/accountability of these services, the time is right to examine if the application of the principle of ‘Caveat Venditor’ is the only solution. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The articles highlight the return volatility, return on investment of goal, and real estate in India. Returns on investment of gold and real estate are determined through generalized autoregressive conditional heteroscedasticity dynamic conditional correlation. The global financial and monetary market has been diverted through economic cruises that have made the monetary market highly volatile. Diversification of investment into various instruments such as gold and real estate leads to the investment opportunity to the financial and monetary market. Significant amounts of investors in India are affected by the volatility in the return of gold and investment. A financial market investment has been shifted away from gold and real estate. By the year 2021, India's real estate will reach US$ 180 billion. The housing sector in India is considered to be 11% of India's GDP. Gold and real estate have a major contribution to the total investment of the Indian market. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study examines the technical efficiency of banking sector and its affecting factors in India using a panel data during 2005-2020. It used log-linear regression model under a stochastic frontier production function approach. It considers 47 scheduled banks (18-public sector, 13-private sector and 16-foreign sector). The technical efficiency is estimated as assuming that return-on-investment and return-on-advances of banks are the important outputs. Fixed assets, total assets, total employees, total deposits, return on equity and capital adequacy rate are vital inputs to increase the performance and efficiency of banks. The empirical results show that return-on-investment of banks increases as increase in fixed assets, total assets, total employees, total deposits, total foreign currency assets, return on equity and cost of funds. Return-on-advances of banks is likely to increase as increase in total employees, total deposits, ratio of non-interest income to total assets, cost of funds and capital adequacy rate. The estimated technical efficiency of selected banks show that there is significant variation in technical efficiency across banks. Indian bank and Indian Overseas Bank have highest technical efficiency among the public sector banks in India. Syndicate bank and UCO banks have a lowest technical efficiency in Indian public sector banks. Nainital bank, Lakshmi Vilas Bank, Kotak Mahindra Bank, ICICI Banks and HDFC Banks have highest technical efficiency among the private sector banks. The technical efficiency of other banks in private sector is seemed in efficient. Bank of America, Bank of Bahrain & Kuwait, Federal Bank, Mashreq Bank, Mizuho Bank and MUFG Bank have the better technical efficiency among the foreign sector banks. Technical efficiency of banks is positively associated with fixed assets, total foreign currency assets, ratio of demand-saving deposits, ratio of non-interest income to total assets, capital adequacy rate and investment deposit ratio. Thus, Indian banks should focus on abovementioned variables to increase their technical efficiency. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Diversity in board memberships has gained a lot of attention recently. Generally, diversity is measured by a wide range of aspects such as gender, ethnicity or cultural background. This research mainly focuses on gender diversity in boardrooms and the equivalence between ratio of women on board and men on board. Firm performance in this study is proxied by 3 indicators such as return on assets, return on equity and return on investment. Although there are many empirical studies throughout time in order to investigate impact of gender diversity on firm performance with the evidence from many countries, those studies are still rare in Asian countries. Especially, it is hard to find out a research comparing the effect of board gender diversity on firm performance in India with that in Vietnam. Both of the two nations have recently gained strong economic growth and foreign investment. That's why this study is expected to be significantly contributes to the existing literature. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The present study examines the long memory in stock liquidity and returns in Indian equity market by using data for broad indices from January, 1997 to December, 2019 by applying the hurst exponent (1951) rescaled range analysis. It is observed that time varying degree of persistence nature in individual and full series analysis of returns. Moreover, liquidity series exhibit long memory process in Nifty-100, Nifty-200 and Nifty MidCap-50. Findings are consistent with Sadique and Silvapulle (2001), Henry (2002), Cavalcante (2002) and Baum, Barkoulas ans Caglayan (1999). [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study aims to identify the trend in the financial performance of renewable energy companies and to outline the renewable energy policies impacting their performance. The study is conducted on major renewable energy companies of India and US for the study period of 2015-2019. The financial performance of these companies is analyzed by using return on equity (ROE) decomposition and the trend in their performance is identified by utilizing k-means cluster of machine learning algorithm. Based on their ROE performance, five clusters are formed for Indian companies and four for US companies. It is observed that the performance of the companies in the renewable sector is heavily influenced by the government policies and for these companies to succeed, it is important that the government sets out policies which motivate these companies to invest more for clean energy development. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

We ask how social similarity between start-up founders and venture capitalists (VCs) influences VCs' pricing decisions and returns on investments. We conceptualize how regional and caste similarity, two salient aspects of social similarity in India, affect two distinct aspects of deal pricing: premoney valuation and investors' downside risk protection in the Indian venture capital market. We theorize that VCs reflect the benefits and costs of social similarity by setting higher premoney valuation when investing in companies led by socially similar founders while also minimizing their downside risks in these investments. We expect that social similarity's impact on pricing is amplified when VCs face greater subjective uncertainty, such as for early-stage deals or if the VCs lack expertise in the start-up company's product market. Finally, we claim that VCs achieve superior returns on investments when their deal pricing accurately reflects the impact of social similarity. We tested our conceptual model using both parametric and nonparametric methods on a hand-collected data set of all deals that occurred during 2005–2012, and we supplemented our analyses with in-depth, qualitative interviews that contextualize our findings. The pattern of findings on regional similarity are consistent with our model, but the effects of caste in our data are theoretically anomalous. Post hoc analyses to resolve the anomaly suggest an "intrinsic quality" mechanism, whereby higher-caste VCs set higher valuations when matching with lower-caste founders that signal high quality. Overall, our findings offer evidence that VCs incorporate social attributes into deal pricing in nuanced yet boundedly rational ways. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This work presents detailed life cycle assessment (LCA) of a novel process to produce ethanol from rice straw in India. The process has been successfully demonstrated and proposed to be scaled-up, and detailed LCA of that process is the key novel contribution of this work. Cradle-to-gate system boundary is considered, which includes rice farming, transportation, and processing at the biorefinery. 1 l of ethanol is used as the functional unit. The process data are based on the demonstration-scale plant as well as the scale-up plant of 100 kilo litres per day being designed based on the same process. The life cycle inventory data are taken from the Ecoinvent® database. OpenLCA 1.6 is used to develop the LCA model, and impact assessment is performed using ILCD 2011 midpoint indicators. The GWP was 2.82 kg of CO2 eq. per liter of ethanol using economic impact allocation. Electricity contributed 86% of the total impact, and use of hydroelectricity reduced the impact to 0.07 kg of CO2 eq. per liter of ethanol. If additional benefits due to this process are considered, the impact reduced to − 0.392 kg of CO2 eq. per liter of ethanol indicating considerable relative reduction in the GWP. Without allocation and implementing system expansion, the impact was 3.35 kg of CO2 eq. per liter of ethanol. The energy return on investment was 1.59, indicating that the process was net energy positive. The lower bound on the life cycle water use was 507.4 l per liter of ethanol. The integrated nature of the process producing various value-added chemicals provided significant benefits from the perspective of environmental impacts. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The study is based on the secondary data compiled by the Ministry of Human Resource & Development, Govt., of India for the period 2012-13, 2013-14 & 2014-15 and was released as the ranking list of Institutes of Engineering and Technology in India for the year 2016. The study aims to assess the Returns on Investment (ROI) of the twenty leading libraries of the Institutes of Engineering and Technology in India in the form of institutional research output. An attempted has also been made to rank the each individual library on the basis of seven different parameters chosen for the study and worked out the difference between their ascribed rank as per the MHRD list and the achieved ranks worked out on the basis of chosen. The rankings have been calculated on the basis of scores earned by each individual library against each individual parameter. The results showed that the Institutes of Engineering and Technology in India concentrate more on procurement of electronic resources in their libraries, spending nearly three-fourth of their budget on the procurement of electronic documents mostly in the form of online journals and eBooks. While evaluating the ascribed and achieved ranking, 95% libraries under study faced shuffle, as 55% libraries slipped in their rank, while as 45 % improved and 5% showed no change. The study gives a clear idea about the importance of libraries and the part these sub-institutions' play in the overall ranking of their institution. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Large cap equity funds are very popular amongst the retail investors because they offer stability and sustainable returns, over a period of time. This study investigates relationship between Indian stock market index and large cap mutual funds of growth category over the period of ten years. This study has been carried out to confirm the strength positive relationship dynamics of the mutual funds and what is the range of actual contribution of index in the returns of mutual funds. To understand as to what extend effect can be visible; various tests have been carried out across 5 open-ended Equity large cap funds. After series of tests were conducted like arithmetic mean, correlation, standard deviation, causality test, co-integration analysis and vector auto regression (VAR), which concluded that unrelated to any other factors, index returns have strong positive relationship with mutual funds returns in India and contribute significantly in majority of large cap equity mutual funds returns. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This paper addresses the apparent paradox between widespread support of cattle farming through agricultural policy interventions and negative returns to cattle, as stressed in recent works. Using a representative panel data set for Andhra Pradesh, India, we explore the average and marginal profitability of holding cattle. We find that cattle farming might well generate positive returns, but most households seem to operate at unprofitable levels. Our results suggest that cattle farming is associated with sizable nonconvexities in the production technology and that substantial economies of scale, as well as high up-front expenses of acquiring high-productivity animals, might trap poorer households in low-productivity asset levels. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This paper revisits recent claims that poor households owning cattle in developing countries settings do not behave according to the tenets of capitalism. We point out that the discussion was based on evidence from one single year only, while cows and buffalos are assets whose return varies through time. In drought years, when fodder is scarce and more expensive, milk production is lower and profits are low. In nondrought years, when fodder is abundant and cheaper, milk production is higher and profits can be considerably higher. Therefore, the return on cows and buffalos, like that of many stocks traded on Wall Street, is positive in some years and negative in others. The fact that in a given year the observed return on a risky asset is negative could certainly not be used as a contradiction of one of the basic tenets of capitalism. We report evidence from 3 years of data on the return on cows and buffalos in the district of Anantapur and show that in one of the 3 years returns are very high, while in drought years they are predominantly negative. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: The financial futures market in India is relatively new. The major advantage of derivatives as financial products is that their use minimizes the risks associated with securities. However, hedging effectiveness requires understanding key market signals such as trading margins, credit availability, and price discreteness. Methods: This study considers the Standard & Poor's CNX Nifty 50 Index futures for data analysis with the application of V-IGARCH (1, 1) two-stage model. The purpose for V-IGARCH (1, 1) is used to observe the positive effects of credit availability on the variance of futures returns. The first stage V-IGARCH (1, 1) endogenous mean and conditional variance returns are measured with exogenous factors from the second stage V-IGARCH (1, 1) models. The second stage V-IGARCH (1, 1) models specify the market participants' exogenous conditional probabilistic values for returns. Results: In the first stage, it was observed that returns and trading margins, as well as credit availability, were cointegrated, thereby indicating a long-term relationship between them. In the first stage of the V-IGARCH (1, 1) model, heteroscedasticity with the mean returns through residuals was observed, where the estimated coefficients were negative. This finding indicated that maximizing returns requires efficient use of trading margins as well as availability of credit positions. From the second stage regression estimation, it was observed that trading prices and total money supply were directly related, and thus had direct effects on returns. The total money supply increased gradually until the last trading hour. In the conditional variance equation, total money supply was related negatively to the availability of credit for market participants. Under these circumstances, the efficient interbank call interest rate was necessary to maintain the trading margin. In effect, efficient Nifty returns would be achieved. Conclusions: This study found that trading margins, credit availability, and price discreteness affect the variance of returns in the Indian futures markets. The study also found that market participation was inadequate as a result of endogenous and exogenous conditional probabilistic reasons. Efficient trading margins and effective credit availability positions were not realized. Price discreteness had a negative impact on returns, as trading prices and credit availability in each of the trading hours were inversely related. Trading risks, and hence losses, were not minimized by hedging positions. The monopoly power in the Nifty market was 8.9526. Given this monopoly power, returns were less elastic with respect to the existing trading margins, financial resources, and market microstructure (price discreteness) that were available for reinvestment. Therefore, before investing in derivatives (index futures), market investors should evaluate trading margins, credit availability positions, and price discreteness. Through these signals, investors will be able to gain essential market knowledge and participate accordingly in trading for efficient returns. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

We examine the returns from owning cows and buffaloes in rural India. With labor valued at market wages, households earn large, negative median annual returns from holding cows and buffaloes, at −293% and −65%, respectively. Making the stark assumption of labor valued at zero, median returns are then −7% for cows and +17% for buffaloes (with 51% and 45% of households earning negative returns for cows and buffaloes, respectively). Why do households continue to invest in livestock if economic returns are negative, or are these estimates wrong? We discuss reasons why we may be underestimating returns and also, if the estimates are accurate, reasons why labor and milk market failures and social norms may still lead to persistent livestock investments. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The purpose of this study is to examine the presence of volatility smirk anomaly in index options and its predictability for future returns. The study tests the temporal properties of volatility smirk and further explores the factors determining the anomaly. The daily volatility smirk is computedfor the period 2004-2014 and the first lag of smirk is used in generalized least square (GLS) estimation framework, with set of control variables in two different specifications, to test the predictability as well as the determinants of volatility smirk. The study reports significant presence of volatility smirk in index options with an auto–regressive structure. Smirk predicts marginal returns and the predictability is robust to the control of major risk factors. It is also found that open interest of calls and puts, along with market risk premium and momentum premium, act as significant predictor of volatility smirk. The results are helpful in enhancing returns on investment in Index based funds and designing options strategies from the perspective of volatility risk. The study is first of its kind in the Indian market examining the reasons and consequences of existence of volatility smirk in index options. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose – The purpose of this paper is to investigate the impact of mergers and acquisitions (M & A) on corporate performance. It addresses the major question related to the long-term performance of the acquiring firm. Design/methodology/approach – The paper uses the long-term pre- and post-merger financial data to investigate the long-term performance. It compares performance of the acquiring firms before and after M & A. The present work conducts a comprehensive ratio analysis of 14 major ratios related to profitability, efficiency, leverage and liquidity. To ascertain the sources of the better long-term post-M & A returns, the present work decomposes the measure of operating performance into its constituents in terms of Du Pont analysis. Findings – Taking a sample of 305 M & As during the period of January 2003 to December 2008, it has been observed that there is significant improvement in the profitability of the acquiring companies involved in M & A. The results pertaining to profitability, efficiency (in terms of utilization of fixed assets), expense and liquidity ratios show that there is an improvement in performance of the acquiring firms in the post-M & A period. The analysis in terms of Du Pont shows improvement in the long-term operating profit margin of the acquiring firms. This means higher profit is generated per unit net sales by the acquiring firms after the M & A. The higher profits (profit before interest and taxes and non-operating income) are generated primarily due to the better operating margins. The improved operating cash flows are on account of the improvement in the post-M & A operating margins of the acquirers, not due to the efficient utilization of the assets turnover to generate higher sales. Originality/value – The paper contributes to the existing literature by comparing operating performance and profitability of acquirers before and after M & A using a comprehensive set of 14 ratios for a substantially large sample. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

We analyze the stock price effects of bulk trade in India over the period 2004–2012. Using an event study model we note significant impact of bulk trades on the share prices with cumulative returns being very high around the trades for both BSE and NSE. Buy trade has significant positive cumulative abnormal returns, indicating that buy trades on average increases firm value. Next, we regress cumulative average abnormal returns of different windows on different independent variables. The effect of all the variables considered is found to be higher in the case of buy trades than that of the sell trades. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study examines the macroeconomic factors underlying FDI flows to India using cointegrating VAR with I(1) exogenous variables. The results indicate that conventional determinants such as a depreciating exchange rate, higher domestic returns, higher domestic output and better infrastructure are conducive to FDI flows to India. The results also indicate that macroeconomic instability has adverse effects while credit worthiness is conducive to FDI flows. A negative relation between trade openness and FDI is observed suggesting that FDI flows to India may be tariff jumping in nature. Empirical estimates also indicate that an increase in global FDI flows to other emerging economies reduces FDI flows to India indicating that India competes with other emerging economies in receiving FDI. Further, the results show that higher foreign output is conducive to FDI flows indicating procyclicality of FDI with economic performance of foreign countries. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Few microfinance-funded businesses grow beyond subsistence entrepreneurship. This paper considers one possible explanation: that the structure of existing microfinance contracts may discourage risky but high-expected-return investments. To explore this possibility, I develop a theory that unifies models of investment choice, informal risk-sharing, and formal financial contracts. I then test the predictions of this theory using a series of experiments with clients of a large microfinance institution in India. The experiments confirm the theoretical predictions that joint liability creates two potential inefficiencies. First, borrowers free-ride on their partners, making risky investments without compensating partners for this risk. Second, the addition of peer-monitoring overcompensates, leading to sharp reductions in risk-taking and profitability. Equity-like financing, in which partners share both the benefits and risks of more profitable projects, overcomes both of these inefficiencies and merits further testing in the field. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract: This study examines the relationship between yield spread and stock market returns. It also explores a dynamic trading strategy of timing the Indian stock market using the yield spread as an indicator variable. The study concludes with the important result that the yield spread is successful in identifying points of entry and exit for the Indian stock market, thereby delivering superior returns compared to a conventional buy and hold strategy. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

This study quantifies the tangible, economic benefits of a nongovernmental organization's social forestry project to local people and analyzes the potential return from this investment in natural capital. The analysis was conducted in the Kumaun hill region of Uttaranchal, India, using participatory rapid appraisal, household survey, avoided cost method, and present value investment analysis. The annual value (based on the ecosystem service of goods provision) of the forest resource to local people was estimated at 903,337 rupees, and the total return on 8 years of investment through 2021 was projected to be 883%. Quantitative and qualitative results show that social forestry is a solid investment in natural and human capital. Overall, this study serves as one example of how ecosystem service valuation can be employed to achieve conservation and development goals. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The use of solar energy for power generation using the innovative solar chimney concept has been explored by many researchers mostly with the help of analytical models as well as CFD simulations while experimental studies for a pilot and bench scale facilities have been carried out. The efficiencies of these chimneys, however, are less than 1% (~0.07% for 50 kW pilot plant similar to Manzanares plant in Spain). In the present study, an effort has been made to make modifications in the chimney design to improve the efficiency of the chimney in terms of power generation. CFD simulations have been carried out for this modified design and the efficiency is seen to improve to 0.12% for a 50 kW chimney. Furthermore, a techno-economic feasibility analysis has been carried out for a conventional 5 MW solar power plant which can be installed on the western part of India, which receives good solar irradiation throughout the year. Two cases with and without government subsidies have been considered. It is observed that a high rate of return (~20.4%) is obtained for a selling price of electricity of Rs 5 per kWh with government subsidy, while a rate of return of ~19% is obtained for Rs 10 per kWh without government subsidy. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In this paper, education is treated as a form of investment. No attempt is made to measure the contribution of education to economic growth. Internal rates of return to investment in education in India for the year 1960-61 are estimated and compared with Professor A. C. Harberger's estimate of the rates of return to physical capital, "Net" education capital formation during the period 1950-51 to 1960-61 is also estimated at 1960-61 prices and compared with physical capital formation during the same period. The study indicates that education is not an attractive form of investment when compared with physical capital. Within the educational system, primary education is the most attractive and collegiate nonprofessional education the least attractive form of investment. The study suggests diversion of resources in favor of physical capital. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Amount raised: In last decade INR 169,708,369 mobilized through sponsored cancer awareness programs. Background and context: With an eagle's eye our vision of eighties resulted in the incorporation of Cancer Aid Society on 8th of December 1987 at Lucknow. Founders of the Cancer Aid Society perceived the threats early and initiated the fight against cancer by developing a self-sustainable model without external financial assistance unfurling series of events internationally. As of now ours is a holistic model on cancer prevention integrated with NCDs, tobacco and palliative care demonstrating replicability within different communities and scalability across the worlds largest democracy having its own network of branches. Aim: Self-sustainable model prevention and control of tobacco, cancer integrated with other NCDs, palliative care and advocacy. Strategy/Tactics: Sponsored cancer awareness programs are organized free of cost in schools and colleges however we accept voluntary donations from the community if any. As schools have contact with the child and their family from kindergarten to senior secondary, they inculcate the spirit of humanitarianism and work for social amelioration improving the overall health of the citizens strengthening the fight against cancer. It covers the need of the current and future generations on cancer control. Program process: Keeping with the ages old adage "Prevention Is Better Than Cure" thousands of community awareness campaigns are organized in educational Institutions every year by mobilizing a million volunteers who generate awareness among twenty million people all over India on health, hygiene, tobacco abuse including passive smoking, carcinogens, balanced diet, regular exercise, obesity, clean drinking water, pollution of air, water and land etc. This plays an integral part in inculcating healthy lifestyle and keeping children away from tobacco at an age when they are vulnerable and tempted the most further grooming our future generation when they are most receptive and in the process of developing habits. They multiply awareness manifold improving the overall health of the community. Costs and returns: As the program follows an integrated and holistic approach on prevention and control of cancer and other NCDs virtually it lacks any administrative costs and offers 100% returns on investments. In last decade INR 144,968,969 spent in sponsored cancer awareness programs. What was learned: With our 30 years of experience of working at grass root community level all across India in spite of regional complexities in terms of multiple languages, cultures, castes, religions etc. ISO 9001 NGO accreditation has given us teeth since 2004 streamlining our functioning through documentation and continuous improvement program through reporting monitoring and feedback. As of now we are ready to share our experiences at international level. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: A qualitative study of key informant semi-structured interviews were conducted between March and July 2016 in Mexico and India to achieve the following aims: to explore corporations' and stakeholders' views, attitudes and expectations in relation to health, wellness and cancer prevention in two middle-income countries, and to determine options for health professions to advance their approach to workplace wellness programming globally, including identifying return-on-investment incentives for corporations to implement wellness programming.Results: There is an unmet demand for workplace wellness resources that can be used by corporations in an international context. Corporations in India and Mexico are already implementing a range of health-related wellness programs, most often focused on disease prevention and management. A number of companies indicated interest is collecting return on investment data but lacked the knowledge and tools to carry out return-on-investment analyses. There was widespread interest in partnership with international non-governmental organizations (public health organizations) and a strong desire for follow-up among corporations interviewed, particularly in Mexico.Conclusions: As low-and middle-income countries continue to undergo economic transitions, the workforce and disease burden continue to evolve as well. Evidence suggests a there is a growing need for workplace wellness initiatives in low-and middle-income countries. Results from this study suggest that while corporations in India and Mexico are implementing wellness programming in some capacity, there are three areas where corporations could greatly benefit from assistance in improving wellness programming in the workplace: 1) innovative toolkits for workplace wellness initiatives and technical support for adaptation, 2) assistance with building partnerships to help implement wellness initiatives and build capacity, and 3) tools and training to collect data for surveillance as well as monitoring and evaluation of wellness programs. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]